Work will begin on Monday to erect the new footbridge that will link the Governor’s Hill estate with the new secondary school at Bemahague, Onchan. The Mountain Road will be closed between Signpost Corner and Governor’s Bridge from 6am on Monday 10th October to allow the work to take place. The road is scheduled to reopen no later than 5pm on Friday 14th October. The erection of the 50-tonne bridge is a key milestone in the construction of the ?33.8 million St Ninian’s Lower School, which opens in September 2012 and will house 700 pupils in Years 7 to 9. Richard Collister, Estates Director with the Department of Education and Children, said the bridge, which has a clear span of 22 metres, will provide safe pedestrian access over the busy A18 TT course at Hailwood Avenue corner. The supporting towers will be erected first and then the two sections of the bridge deck will be joined together and craned into position using a 60-tonne crane. Finally, the ramps either side of the bridge will be installed. It is hoped that the bridge will be in use by the public by late November. Mr Collister said: ‘Subject to any delays caused by the current, unsettled, weather, we will have the bridge installed by Friday evening. We appreciate that the closure of this major road will inconvenience motorists and we thank them for their patience while this vital part of the Bemahague school project is completed.’ Ends